More than a style, Orientalism is a way of seeing, perceiving and sharing. Orientalist painters were collectors of dreams, in a way where lovers of objects transform their study into a cabinet of curiosities. From Marco Polo’s Book of the Marvels of the World to Byron’s Turkish Tales, from Paul Poiret to Yves Saint Laurent and John Galliano, from Delacroix to the British explorer Richard Burton, from Cleopatra to Lawrence of Arabia, Orientalism offers a vision filled with dreams, secrets and poetry, a sensuous tableau perfumed with incense, interweaving past and present. Introducing the Style series, this volume showcases the spotlight on some of the most iconic art movements and design styles, revealing their historical impact and continuing influence on our culture today.
